Dynamic power class re-registration of mobile devices

ABSTRACT

Dynamic power class re-registration of wireless devices is provided. A wireless device can exchange data with a communications network. While exchanging data, the device can monitor its usage and based on the usage, generate a power change request. The device can then send the power change request to the communications network, prior to or in conjunction with powering down the device. In this regard, the communications network can receive the power change request, generate instructions for the wireless device, and adjust network resources based on the power change request. The instructions can then be sent to the wireless device. Since the device re-registers its power class with the communications network, handoffs, internetwork thresholds, network resources and other network parameters can be adjusted to compensate for the changed power class resulting into improved service for a user of the wireless device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is a continuation of, and claims priority toeach of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/703,470, filed on May 4,2015, and entitled “DYNAMIC POWER CLASS RE-REGISTRATION OF MOBILEDEVICES,” which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/708,559 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,066,300), filed on Dec. 7, 2012, andentitled “DYNAMIC POWER CLASS RE-REGISTRATION OF MOBILE DEVICES.” Theentireties of the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated byreference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject disclosure relates to wireless communications and, moreparticularly, dynamic power re-registration of mobile devices.

BACKGROUND

Communications systems, networks, and devices have seen an explosivegrowth in the past few years. In the future, they are expected toexperience continuing growth with respect to applications, services,and/or functionality provided to a user. One area of growth has been inportable electronic devices, including smart phones and tablets that arecapable of connecting to communication networks. One issue with portableelectronic devices that are capable of connecting with communicationsnetworks is that the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) regulatesthe specific absorption rate (SAR) of RF energy absorbed by the user ofthe device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example impact of a reduced power mobile device;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example apparatus capable of powerre-registration;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example apparatus capable of power re-registrationincluding a data flow component;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example apparatus capable of power re-registrationincluding a power registration timer component;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example apparatus capable of power re-registrationincluding a power component;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example apparatus capable of power re-registrationincluding a user feedback component;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example system administering power class changes;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example system administering power class changesincluding a network resource component;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example method for administering power classchanges;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example method for administering power classchanges including generating network instructions;

FIG. 11 illustrates an example method for administering power classchanges including adjusting network resources;

FIG. 12 illustrates a block diagram of a computer operable to executethe disclosed communication architecture; and

FIG. 13 illustrates a Global System for Mobile Communications(GSM)/General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)/Internet protocol (IP)multimedia network architecture that can employ the disclosedarchitecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more embodiments are now described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to likeelements throughout. In the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the various embodiments. It may be evident,however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without thesespecific details, e.g., without applying to any particular networkedenvironment or standard. In other instances, well-known structures anddevices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitatedescribing the embodiments in additional detail.

Currently, mobile device usually connect to a wireless network at fullpower class. As the user handles the mobile device, maximum power isreduced or capped in order to comply with Federal CommunicationCommission (“FCC”) Specific Absorption Rate (“SAR”) value. The SAR valuecorresponds to the relative amount of RF energy is absorbed in the head,or other part of the body, of a user of a wireless handset. For example,the current FCC limits for public exposure from wireless devices is anSAR level of 1.6 watts per kilogram.

If the mobile device reduces or caps the power due to an SAR limit beingreached, the communications network may not be aware of the power classreduction. If the power reduction occurs without knowledge by thenetwork, miscalculations by the network during handoffs and otherresource allocations can cause service interruptions to the user of thedevice. For example, the communications network can continue to instructthe mobile device to power up to full power; however, the mobile device,unable to power up, continues to drag service past an uplink limit untilservice disconnects.

Power reductions initiated by the device due to the device reaching SARlimits are generally locally handled by the device. For example, adevice, using a proximity sensor, can determine, over time, how much RFenergy is being absorbed by the user of the device. As the FCC limit isapproached or reached, the device can power down, and operate at lessthan full power class. Presently, the communications network is notaware of this power reduction, which can result in miscalculations ofthe radio link and resource allocation for the device.

Systems and method are disclosed herein for employing dynamic powerclass re-registration of wireless devices. A wireless device canexchange data with a communications network. While exchanging data, thedevice can monitor its usage and when an SAR threshold is reached,generate a power change request. The device can then send the powerchange request to the communications network, prior to or in conjunctionwith powering down the device. In this sense, the communications networkcan receive the power change request, generate instructions for thewireless device, and adjust network resources based on the power changerequest. The instructions can then be sent to the wireless device, in amanner typical with how the wireless device interacts with thecommunications network. It can be appreciated that because the devicere-registering its power class with the communications network;handoffs, internetwork thresholds, network resources and other networkparameters can be adjusted to compensate for the changed power classresulting into improved service for a user of the wireless device.

An apparatus can exchange data with a communications network device. Itcan monitor usage of the apparatus. Based on the apparatus usage, it cangenerate a power change request that requests a power change for theapparatus. It can then send the power change request to thecommunications network device. In one implementation, it can monitor theexchange of data with the communications network and identify a data gappresent in the data being exchanged. The power change request can thenbe sent to the communications network device based on the data gaphaving been identified as present. In another implementation, a powerregistration timer can be started based on the power change request. Thepower registration timer can be reset based on the data gap beingidentified as present. In another implementation, the power changerequest can be sent to the communications network based on a timerepresented by the power registration timer.

In another implementation, a system can receive power registration datafrom a user equipment, wherein the power registration data indicates apower reduction for the user equipment. A set of device instructions canbe generated based on the power registration data. The set of deviceinstructions can be directed to be sent to the user equipment. In oneimplementation, a set of network instructions can be generated based onthe power registration data for application to a set of networkresources. The system can then initiate adjustment of the set of networkresources based on the set of network instructions.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an example impact of areduced power mobile device. It can be appreciated that the depictedexample is just one impact of a reduced power mobile device. Mobiledevice 102 can be a smart phone, tablet computer, personal computer, LTEmodem, etc. It can be appreciated that mobile device 102 is capable ofwirelessly connecting with a communications network. Network resources110 and 120 are depicted as antennas, and represent a radio accessnetwork or base transceiver station or the like capable of communicatingwirelessly with mobile device 102. It can be appreciated that anysuitable wireless communication technology can be used, for example,LTE, 4G, 3G, WCDMA, UMTS, EDGE, GPRS, etc. Coverage areas 112 and 114respectively depict two distinct areas of coverage for network resource110. The inner area of coverage, 112, shows the area surrounding thenetwork resource 110 that is capable of communicating with a powereddown mobile device 102. For example, a mobile device that has reached aSAR threshold and is powered down as a result. The outer area ofcoverage, 114, shows the area surrounding the network resource 110 thatis capable of communicating with a fully powered mobile device 102.Coverage area 122 depicts a distinct area of coverage for networkresource 120 and is capable of communication with either a fully poweredmobile device 102 or a reduced powered mobile device 102.

In a first usage scenario, mobile device 102 is fully powered and incommunication with network resource 110 and exchanging data packets.During the exchange of data, an SAR threshold is reached, causing mobiledevice 102 to reduce its power. Without communicating the reduction inpower to network resource 110, upon reducing its power, mobile device102 is no longer within an area of coverage capable of communicatingwith network resource 110. Although mobile device 102 is capable ofcommunicating with network resource 120, a proper handoff was likely noteffectuated, because network resource 110 was not aware that mobiledevice 102 was in danger of powering down. Thus, a service interruptionis possible as mobile device 102 attempts to connect with networkresource 120 without a handoff. If instead, mobile device 102re-registered its power level with network resource 110, prior to orcontemporaneous with powering down, network resource 110 and networkresource 120 could work together in a typical handoff without causing apotential service interruption for the user of mobile device 102. Forexample, if the device is powered down by 3 dB, then readings forneighboring network resources in a handoff situation can be read andgiven sooner to make a handoff.

In a second usage scenario, mobile device 102 is connected to networkresource 120. As stated above, mobile device 102 is within area ofcoverage 122, and thus mobile device 102 is capable of communicatingwith network resource 120 either fully powered or after having its powerreduced. Mobile device then requests a set of data packets from networkresource 120. Network resource 120 can work with the network todetermine a power headroom or data code power for the data that needs tobe sent to mobile device 120. For example, based on the full power ofmobile device 102, a certain amount of energy per bit can be allocated.Network resource 120 then uses the allocated energy per bit to send thedata. If mobile device 102 is instead running at a reduced power,network resource 120 will still attempt to use the full bandwidth tosend the data; however, the underpowered phone may lack the power toreceive all the data packets, without packet loss. Thus, the networkresource 120 being unaware of reduced power mobile device 102 can causeservice interruptions or service failure to mobile device 102. Ifinstead, mobile device 102 re-registered its power level with networkresource 120, prior to or contemporaneous with powering down, networkresource 120 could properly calibrate the data code power for itstransmissions reducing the likelihood of packet loss or other relatedproblems.

It can be appreciated that the previous two usage scenarios are examplesof the problems faced by providing wireless services to a mobile devicethat reduces its power without registering the reduced power with thenetwork. It can be further appreciated that other issues, such asinternetwork thresholds, network resource management, or otherparameters or processes within the communications network can functionmore efficiently with accurate power information related to mobiledevices accessing the network.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated an example apparatuscapable of power re-registration. Apparatus 200 can be a user equipment(“UE”) such as a smart phone, a tablet computer, a personal computer, amobile hot spot, a modem, etc. Communications component 210, powermonitoring component 220, power registration component 230, and a memorycan share a common bus and be in contact with communications networkdevice 201. It can be appreciated that communications network device 201can be an LTE network, a 4G network, a 3G network, a Wide band CDMA, aUMTS, an EDGE network, a GPRS Network, etc. Apparatus 200 can alsocontain, not pictured, the necessary hardware to effect a connectionwith communications network device 201, such as an antenna, wirelesstransceiver, etc.

Communications component 201 can exchange data with communicationsnetwork device 201. Power monitoring component 220 can monitor apparatus200 usage and generate a power change request, based at least in part,on the apparatus usage, that request a power change for the apparatus.For example, the power monitoring component can measure, using aproximity sensor, how close the apparatus is to the user. A proximitysensor can also determine if the apparatus is near the head or the body.It can be appreciated that algorithms can be established based on FCCguidelines or other best practices to determine when a power changerequest should be generated to protect the safety of the user.

In one implementation, power monitoring component 220 can monitorapparatus usage further based on a set of user settings. For example,the user of a tablet computer may not place the tablet near their head,and thus wish to disable proximity sensing. In another example, the userof a smart phone that uses it for executing applications and not forplacing phone calls may wish to reduce the sensitivity of the proximitysensor, or increase the level of usage prior to a power change requestbeing generated by power monitoring component 220. In oneimplementation, warning can be provided to the user regarding potentialhealth consequences associated with disabling the proximity sensor.

Power registration component 230 can send the power change request tothe communications network device 201. In one implementation, the powerchange request can include a target power level. For example, a level,in mW, of the desired reduced power level for apparatus 200.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated an example apparatuscapable of power re-registration including a data flow component. Dataflow component 310 can monitor the exchange of data with thecommunications network and determine a data gap. For example, a data gapcan be a moment in time where the apparatus and communications networkdevice 201 are not exchanging data packets, such as when a user of theapparatus is not making a call or running an application, or when theapparatus isn't executing an application that is exchanging data withcommunications network device 201. In one implementation, powerregistration component 230 sends the power change request to thecommunications network device 201 based on the data gap. It can beappreciated that by determining a data gap, power registration data canbe exchanged at a time that does not interrupt the service of the user.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated an example apparatuscapable of power re-registration including a power registration timercomponent. Power registration timer component 410 can start a powerregistration timer based on the power change request. In implementation,the power registration time is reset based on the data gap. For example,a timer starts when a power change request is generated. During therunning of the timer, data flow component 310 monitors the exchange ofdata to determine a data gap. If a data gap is found, then the powerregistration data is sent during the gap. However, if a data gap is notfound, and the timer runs out, then the power registration data can besent, without a data gap, at the expiration of the timer. It can beappreciated that the timer can be adjusted to prevent negative healthimpacts associated with a device not powering down rapidly enough. Thus,in one implementation, the power registration component 230 can send thepower change request to the communications network based on the powerregistration timer. It can be appreciated that it is beneficial to avoida deluge of power messages being sent, as too much messaging can alsonegatively impact user services and communication network performance.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated an example apparatuscapable of power re-registration including a power component. Powercomponent 510 can adjust at least one of control power or user planepower based on the power monitoring component generating the powerchange request. In one implementation, power component 510 can adjust atleast one of control power or user plane power further based onreceiving a set of power down instructions from communications networkdevice 201. For example, upon the power change request being generated,power component 510 can wait a period of time to receive instructionsfrom communication network 201, and if instructions are not receivedduring that period of time, power down the device without receivinginstructions.

In one implementation, power component 510 can adjust at least one ofcontrol power or user plane power further based on the deviceinstructions. For example, the control plane can remain at full power tocarry control information to and from communications network device 201while limiting the user plane power. It can be appreciated that byreducing user plane power, user services may slow, but serviceinterruptions may be prevented by retaining full power on the controlplane.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated an example apparatuscapable of power re-registration including a user feedback component.User feedback component 610 can facilitate providing of feedback to auser of the apparatus based on the power component adjustments. Forexample, a message on a display of the apparatus can appear alerting theuser that the device has been powered down. In one implementation, themessage can include a link to the user settings referenced above inregards to FIG. 2, so that a user can adjust power settings to adifferent setting if they desire. In another example, an audibleindication can be emitted that alerts a user to a lowered power setting.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is illustrated an example systemadministering power class changes. A receiving component 710 can receivepower registration data from a user equipment, wherein the powerregistration data indicates a power reduction. A power synchronizationcomponent 720 can generate a set of device instructions based on thepower registration data. In one implementation, power synchronizationcomponent 720 further generates a set of network instructions based onthe power registration data. Output component 730 can direct the set ofdevice instructions be sent to the user equipment.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is illustrated an example systemadministering power class changes including a network resourcecomponent. Network resource component can initiate an adjustment of aset of network resources based on the set of network instructions. Forexample, handoff instructions can be altered, power headroom can beadjusted, data code power can be adjusted, etc.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate methods and/or flow diagrams in accordance withthis disclosure. For simplicity of explanation, the methods are depictedand described as a series of acts. However, acts in accordance with thisdisclosure can occur in various orders and/or concurrently, and withother acts not presented and described herein. Furthermore, not allillustrated acts may be required to implement the methods in accordancewith the disclosed subject matter. In addition, those skilled in the artwill understand and appreciate that the methods could alternatively berepresented as a series of interrelated states via a state diagram orevents. Additionally, it should be appreciated that the methodsdisclosed in this specification are capable of being stored on anarticle of manufacture to facilitate transporting and transferring suchmethods to computing devices. The term article of manufacture, as usedherein, is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device or storage media.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is illustrated an example method foradministering power class changes. At 902, power registration data canbe received form a user equipment, wherein the power registration dataindicates a power reduction for the user equipment. At 904, a set ofdevice instructions can be generated based on the power registrationdata. At 906, the set of device instructions can be directed to be sentto the user equipment.

Referring now to FIG. 10, there is illustrated an example method foradministering power class changes including generating networkinstructions. At 1002, power registration data can be received form auser equipment, wherein the power registration data indicates a powerreduction for the user equipment. At 1004, a set of device instructionscan be generated based on the power registration data. At 1006, the setof device instructions can be directed to be sent to the user equipment.At 1008, a set of network instructions can be generated, based on thepower registration data, for application to a set of network resources.

Referring now to FIG. 11, there is illustrated an example method foradministering power class changes including adjusting network resources.At 1102, power registration data can be received form a user equipment,wherein the power registration data indicates a power reduction for theuser equipment. At 1104, a set of device instructions can be generatedbased on the power registration data. At 1106, the set of deviceinstructions can be directed to be sent to the user equipment. At 1108,a set of network instructions can be generated, based on the powerregistration data, for application to a set of network resources. At1110, a set of network resources can be adjusted based on the set ofnetwork instructions.

Turning now to FIG. 12 there illustrated is a block diagram of acomputing system 1200 operable to execute the disclosed systems andmethods in accordance with an embodiment. Computer 1212 (which can be,for example, part of the hardware of a component includes a processingunit 1214, a system memory 1216, and a system bus 1218. System bus 1218couples system components including, but not limited to, system memory1216 to processing unit 1214. Processing unit 1214 can be any of variousavailable processors. Dual microprocessors and other multiprocessorarchitectures also can be employed as processing unit 1214.

System bus 1218 can be any of several types of bus structure(s)including a memory bus or a memory controller, a peripheral bus or anexternal bus, and/or a local bus using any variety of available busarchitectures including, but not limited to, Industrial StandardArchitecture (ISA), Micro-Channel Architecture (MSA), Extended ISA(EISA), Intelligent Drive Electronics, VESA Local Bus (VLB), PeripheralComponent Interconnect (PCI), Card Bus, Universal Serial Bus (USB),Advanced Graphics Port (AGP), Personal Computer Memory CardInternational Association bus (PCMCIA), Firewire (IEEE 11124), and SmallComputer Systems Interface (SCSI).

System memory 1216 includes volatile memory 1220 and nonvolatile memory1222. A basic input/output system (BIOS), containing routines totransfer information between elements within computer 1212, such asduring start-up, can be stored in nonvolatile memory 1222. By way ofillustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory 1222 can includeROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or flash memory. Volatile memory 1220 includesRAM, which acts as external cache memory. By way of illustration and notlimitation, RAM is available in many forms such as SRAM, dynamic RAM(DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM),enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), Rambus direct RAM(RDRAM), direct Rambus dynamic RAM (DRDRAM), and Rambus dynamic RAM(RDRAM).

Computer 1212 also includes removable/non-removable,volatile/non-volatile computer storage media. FIG. 12 illustrates, forexample, disk storage 1224. Disk storage 1224 includes, but is notlimited to, devices like a magnetic disk drive, floppy disk drive, tapedrive, Jaz drive, Zip drive, LS-100 drive, flash memory card, or memorystick. In addition, disk storage 1224 can include storage mediaseparately or in combination with other storage media including, but notlimited to, an optical disk drive such as a compact disk ROM device(CD-ROM), CD recordable drive (CD-R Drive), CD rewritable drive (CD-RWDrive) or a digital versatile disk ROM drive (DVD-ROM). To facilitateconnection of the disk storage devices 1224 to system bus 1218, aremovable or non-removable interface is typically used, such asinterface 1226.

Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which caninclude computer-readable storage media or communications media, whichtwo terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.

Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and includes both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structureddata, or unstructured data. Computer-readable storage media can include,but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memorytechnology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical diskstorage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, or other tangible and/or non-transitorymedia which can be used to store desired information. Computer-readablestorage media can be accessed by one or more local or remote computingdevices, e.g., via access requests, queries or other data retrievalprotocols, for a variety of operations with respect to the informationstored by the medium.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and includes any information deliveryor transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signals refersto a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changedin such a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By wayof example, and not limitation, communication media include wired media,such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless mediasuch as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

It can be noted that FIG. 12 describes software that acts as anintermediary between users and computer resources described in suitableoperating environment 1200. Such software includes an operating system1228. Operating system 1228, which can be stored on disk storage 1224,acts to control and allocate resources of computer system 1212. Systemapplications 1230 take advantage of the management of resources byoperating system 1228 through program modules 1232 and program data 1234stored either in system memory 1216 or on disk storage 1224. It is to benoted that the disclosed subject matter can be implemented with variousoperating systems or combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands or information into computer 1211 throughinput device(s) 1236. Input devices 1236 include, but are not limitedto, a pointing device such as a mouse, trackball, stylus, touch pad,keyboard, microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, TVtuner card, digital camera, digital video camera, web camera, cellphone, smartphone, tablet computer, etc. These and other input devicesconnect to processing unit 1214 through system bus 1218 by way ofinterface port(s) 1238. Interface port(s) 1238 include, for example, aserial port, a parallel port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB),an infrared port, a Bluetooth port, an IP port, or a logical portassociated with a wireless service, etc. Output device(s) 1240 use someof the same type of ports as input device(s) 1236.

Thus, for example, a USB port can be used to provide input to computer1212 and to output information from computer 1212 to an output device1240. Output adapter 1242 is provided to illustrate that there are someoutput devices 1240 like monitors, speakers, and printers, among otheroutput devices 1240, which use special adapters. Output adapters 1242include, by way of illustration and not limitation, video and soundcards that provide means of connection between output device 1240 andsystem bus 1218. It should be noted that other devices and/or systems ofdevices provide both input and output capabilities such as remotecomputer(s) 1244.

Computer 1212 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers, such as remote computer(s)1244. Remote computer(s) 1244 can be a personal computer, a server, arouter, a network PC, a workstation, a microprocessor based appliance, apeer device, or other common network node and the like, and typicallyincludes many or all of the elements described relative to computer1212.

For purposes of brevity, only a memory storage device 1246 isillustrated with remote computer(s) 1244. Remote computer(s) 1244 islogically connected to computer 1212 through a network interface 1248and then physically connected by way of communication connection 1250.Network interface 1248 encompasses wire and/or wireless communicationnetworks such as local-area networks (LAN) and wide-area networks (WAN).LAN technologies include Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), CopperDistributed Data Interface (CDDI), Ethernet, Token Ring and the like.WAN technologies include, but are not limited to, point-to-point links,circuit switching networks like Integrated Services Digital Networks(ISDN) and variations thereon, packet switching networks, and DigitalSubscriber Lines (DSL). As noted below, wireless technologies may beused in addition to or in place of the foregoing.

Communication connection(s) 1250 refer(s) to hardware/software employedto connect network interface 1248 to bus 1218. While communicationconnection 1250 is shown for illustrative clarity inside computer 1212,it can also be external to computer 1212. The hardware/software forconnection to network interface 1248 can include, for example, internaland external technologies such as modems, including regular telephonegrade modems, cable modems and DSL modems, ISDN adapters, and Ethernetcards.

Now turning to FIG. 13, such figure depicts an example GSM/GPRS/IPmultimedia network architecture 1300 that can employ the disclosedcommunication architecture. In particular, the GSM/GPRS/IP multimedianetwork architecture 1300 includes a GSM core network 1301, a GPRSnetwork 1330 and an IP multimedia network 1338. The GSM core network1301 includes a Mobile Station (MS) 1302, at least one Base TransceiverStation (BTS) 1304 and a Base Station Controller (BSC) 1306. The MS 1302is physical equipment or Mobile Equipment (ME), such as a mobile phoneor a laptop computer that is used by mobile subscribers, with aSubscriber identity Module (SIM). The SIM includes an InternationalMobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), which is a unique identifier of asubscriber. It can be appreciated that MS 1302 can be substantiallysimilar to Apparatus 200 and include functionality described withrespect to Apparatus' 200-600.

The BTS 1304 is physical equipment, such as a radio tower, that enablesa radio interface to communicate with the MS 1302. Each BTS can servemore than one MS. The BSC 1306 manages radio resources, including theBTS. The BSC 1306 can be connected to several BTSs. The BSC and BTScomponents, in combination, are generally referred to as a base station(BSS) or radio access network (RAN) 1303.

The GSM core network 1301 also includes a Mobile Switching Center (MSC)1308, a Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC) 1310, a Home LocationRegister (HLR) 1312, Visitor Location Register (VLR) 1314, anAuthentication Center (AuC) 1318, and an Equipment Identity Register(EIR) 1318. The MSC 1308 performs a switching function for the network.The MSC also performs other functions, such as registration,authentication, location updating, handovers, and call routing. The GMSC1310 provides a gateway between the GSM network and other networks, suchas an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) or Public SwitchedTelephone Networks (PSTNs) 1320. In other words, the GMSC 1310 providesinterworking functionality with external networks.

The HLR 1312 is a database or component(s) that comprises administrativeinformation regarding each subscriber registered in a corresponding GSMnetwork. The HLR 1312 also includes the current location of each MS. TheVLR 1314 is a database or component(s) that contains selectedadministrative information from the HLR 1312. The VLR containsinformation necessary for call control and provision of subscribedservices for each MS currently located in a geographical area controlledby the VLR. The HLR 1312 and the VLR 1314, together with the MSC 1308,provide the call routing and roaming capabilities of GSM. The AuC 1316provides the parameters needed for authentication and encryptionfunctions. Such parameters allow verification of a subscriber'sidentity. The EIR 1318 stores security-sensitive information about themobile equipment.

A Short Message Service Center (SMSC) 1309 allows one-to-one ShortMessage Service (SMS) messages to be sent to/from the MS 1302. A PushProxy Gateway (PPG) 1311 is used to “push” (e.g., send without asynchronous request) content to the MS 1302. The PPG 1311 acts as aproxy between wired and wireless networks to facilitate pushing of datato the MS 1302. A Short Message Peer to Peer (SMPP) protocol router 1313is provided to convert SMS-based SMPP messages to cell broadcastmessages. SMPP is a protocol for exchanging SMS messages between SMSpeer entities such as short message service centers. It is often used toallow third parties, e.g., content suppliers such as news organizations,to submit bulk messages.

To gain access to GSM services, such as speech, data, and short messageservice (SMS), the MS first registers with the network to indicate itscurrent location by performing a location update and IMSI attachprocedure. The MS 1302 sends a location update including its currentlocation information to the MSC/VLR, via the BTS 1304 and the BSC 1306.The location information is then sent to the MS's HLR. The HLR isupdated with the location information received from the MSC/VLR. Thelocation update also is performed when the MS moves to a new locationarea. Typically, the location update is periodically performed to updatethe database as location-updating events occur.

The GPRS network 1330 is logically implemented on the GSM core networkarchitecture by introducing two packet-switching network nodes, aserving GPRS support node (SGSN) 1332, a cell broadcast and a GatewayGPRS support node (GGSN) 1334. The SGSN 1332 is at the same hierarchicallevel as the MSC 1308 in the GSM network. The SGSN controls theconnection between the GPRS network and the MS 1302. The SGSN also keepstrack of individual MS's locations, security functions, and accesscontrols.

A Cell Broadcast Center (CBC) 1333 communicates cell broadcast messagesthat are typically delivered to multiple users in a specified area. CellBroadcast is one-to-many geographically focused service. It enablesmessages to be communicated to multiple mobile phone customers who arelocated within a given part of its network coverage area at the time themessage is broadcast.

The GGSN 1334 provides a gateway between the GPRS network and a publicpacket network (PDN) or other IP networks 1336. That is, the GGSNprovides interworking functionality with external networks, and sets upa logical link to the MS 1302 through the SGSN 1332. Whenpacket-switched data leaves the GPRS network, it is transferred to anexternal TCP-IP network 1336, such as an X.25 network or the Internet.In order to access GPRS services, the MS 1302 first attaches itself tothe GPRS network by performing an attach procedure. The MS 1302 thenactivates a packet data protocol (PDP) context, thus activating a packetcommunication session between the MS 1302, the SGSN 1332, and the GGSN1334. In a GSM/GPRS network, GPRS services and GSM services can be usedin parallel. A GPRS network 1330 can be designed to operate in threenetwork operation modes (NOM1, NOM2 and NOM3). A network operation modeof a GPRS network is indicated by a parameter in system informationmessages transmitted within a cell. The system information messagesdictates a MS where to listen for paging messages and how signal towardsthe network. The network operation mode represents the capabilities ofthe GPRS network.

The IP multimedia network 1338 was introduced with 3GPP Release 5, andincludes an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) 1340 to provide richmultimedia services to end users. A representative set of the networkentities within the IMS 1340 are a call/session control function (CSCF),a media gateway control function (MGCF) 1346, a media gateway (MGW)1348, and a master subscriber database, called a home subscriber server(HSS) 1350. The HSS 1350 can be common to the GSM network 1301, the GPRSnetwork 1330 as well as the IP multimedia network 1338.

The IP multimedia system 1340 is built around the call/session controlfunction, of which there are three types: an interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF)1343, a proxy CSCF (P-CSCF) 1342, and a serving CSCF (S-CSCF) 1344. TheP-CSCF 1342 is the MS's first point of contact with the IMS 1340. TheP-CSCF 1342 forwards session initiation protocol (SIP) messages receivedfrom the MS to an SIP server in a home network (and vice versa) of theMS. The P-CSCF 1342 can also modify an outgoing request according to aset of rules defined by the network operator (for example, addressanalysis and potential modification).

The I-CSCF 1343 forms an entrance to a home network and hides the innertopology of the home network from other networks and providesflexibility for selecting an S-CSCF. The I-CSCF 1343 can contact asubscriber location function (SLF) 1345 to determine which HSS 1350 touse for the particular subscriber, if multiple HSS's 1350 are present.The S-CSCF 1344 performs the session control services for the MS 1302.This includes routing originating sessions to external networks androuting terminating sessions to visited networks. The S-CSCF 1344 alsodecides whether an application server (AS) 1352 is required to receiveinformation on an incoming SIP session request to ensure appropriateservice handling. This decision is based on information received fromthe HSS 1350 (or other sources, such as an application server 1352). TheAS 1352 also communicates to a location server 1356 (e.g., a GatewayMobile Location Center (GMLC)) that provides a position (e.g.,latitude/longitude coordinates) of the MS 1302. The MME 1358 providesauthentication of a user by interacting with the HSS 1350 in LTEnetworks.

The HSS 1350 contains a subscriber profile and keeps track of which corenetwork node is currently handling the subscriber. It also supportssubscriber authentication and authorization functions (AAA). In networkswith more than one HSS 1350, a subscriber location function providesinformation on the HSS 1350 that contains the profile of a givensubscriber.

The MGCF 1346 provides interworking functionality between SIP sessioncontrol signaling from the IMS 1340 and ISUP/BICC call control signalingfrom the external GSTN networks (not shown). It also controls the mediagateway (MGW) 1348 that provides user-plane interworking functionality(e.g., converting between AMR- and PCM-coded voice). The MGW 1348 alsocommunicates with a PSTN network 1354 for TDM trunks. In addition, theMGCF 1346 communicates with the PSTN network 1354 for SS7 links.According to an embodiment, the system 700, and 800 can be implementedwithin and/or communicatively coupled to the GSM network 1301, the GPRSnetwork 1330, the IP multimedia network 1338, and/or the IP networks1336.

As used in this application, the terms “component,” “module,” “system,”“interface,” “service,” or the like are generally intended to refer to acomputer-related entity, either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution or an entity related to anoperational machine with one or more specific functionalities. Forexample, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a processrunning on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a threadof execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, bothan application running on a controller and the controller can be acomponent. One or more components may reside within a process and/orthread of execution and a component may be localized on one computerand/or distributed between two or more computers. As another example, aninterface can include I/O components as well as associated processor,application, and/or API components.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware, or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement one or moreaspects of the disclosed subject matter. An article of manufacture canencompass a computer program accessible from any computer-readabledevice or computer-readable storage/communications media. For example,computer readable storage media can include but are not limited tomagnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strips. . . ), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk(DVD) . . . ), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g., card, stick,key drive . . . ). Of course, those skilled in the art will recognizemany modifications can be made to this configuration without departingfrom the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.

Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which caninclude computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and includes both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured dataor unstructured data. Tangible and/or non-transitory computer-readablestorage media can include, but are not limited to, random access memory(RAM), read only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable readonly memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, compactdisk read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD) or otheroptical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices or other media that can beused to store desired information. Computer-readable storage media canbe accessed by one or more local or remote computing devices, e.g., viaaccess requests, queries or other data retrieval protocols, for avariety of operations with respect to the information stored by themedium.

In this regard, the term “tangible” herein as applied to storage, memoryor computer-readable media, is to be understood to exclude onlypropagating intangible signals per se as a modifier and does notrelinquish coverage of all standard storage, memory or computer-readablemedia that are not only propagating intangible signals per se.

In this regard, the term “non-transitory” herein as applied to storage,memory or computer-readable media, is to be understood to exclude onlypropagating transitory signals per se as a modifier and does notrelinquish coverage of all standard storage, memory or computer-readablemedia that are not only propagating transitory signals per se.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and includes any information deliveryor transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signals refersto a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changedin such a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By wayof example, and not limitation, communication media include wired media,such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless mediasuch as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

In addition, the words “example” or “exemplary” is used herein to meanserving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or designdescribed herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use ofthe word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concretefashion. As used in this application, the term “or” is intended to meanan inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unlessspecified otherwise, or clear from context, “X employs A or B” isintended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, ifX employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs Aor B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition,the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appendedclaims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unlessspecified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singularform.

Moreover, terms like “user equipment,” “mobile station,” “mobile,”subscriber station,” and similar terminology, refer to a wired orwireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wired or wirelesscommunication service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video,sound, gaming, or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. Theforegoing terms are utilized interchangeably in the subjectspecification and related drawings. Likewise, the terms “access point,”“base station,” and the like, are utilized interchangeably in thesubject application, and refer to a wireless network component orappliance that serves and receives data, control, voice, video, sound,gaming, or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream from a setof subscriber stations. Data and signaling streams can be packetized orframe-based flows.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” and the likeare employed interchangeably throughout the subject specification,unless context warrants particular distinction(s) among the terms. Itshould be appreciated that such terms can refer to human entities orautomated components supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., acapacity to make inference based on complex mathematical formalisms),which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth. Inaddition, the terms “data flow,” “data session,” and the like are alsoemployed interchangeably throughout the subject specification, unlesscontext warrants particular distinction(s) among the terms.

Aspects or features of the subject innovation can be exploited insubstantially any wired or wireless communication technology; e.g.,Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Wi-Fi, WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), General Packet RadioService (GPRS), Enhanced GPRS, Third Generation Partnership Project(3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE), Third Generation Partnership Project 2(3GPP2) Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA),Zigbee, or another IEEE 802.XX technology. Additionally, substantiallyall aspects of the subject innovation can be exploited in legacytelecommunication technologies.

As it employed in the subject specification, the term “processor” canrefer to substantially any computing processing unit or devicecomprising, but not limited to comprising, single-core processors;single-processors with software multithread execution capability;multi-core processors; multi-core processors with software multithreadexecution capability; multi-core processors with hardware multithreadtechnology; parallel platforms; and parallel platforms with distributedshared memory. Additionally, a processor can refer to an integratedcircuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digitalsignal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), aprogrammable logic controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic device(CPLD), a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardwarecomponents, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functionsdescribed herein. Processors can exploit nano-scale architectures suchas, but not limited to, molecular and quantum-dot based transistors,switches and gates, in order to optimize space usage or enhanceperformance of user equipment. A processor may also be implemented as acombination of computing processing units.

In the subject specification, terms such as “data store,” data storage,”“database,” “cache,” and substantially any other information storagecomponent relevant to operation and functionality of a component, referto “memory components,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or componentscomprising the memory. It will be appreciated that the memorycomponents, or computer-readable storage media, described herein can beeither volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or can include bothvolatile and nonvolatile memory. By way of illustration, and notlimitation, nonvolatile memory can include read only memory (ROM),programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory caninclude random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory.By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available in manyforms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronousDRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM(ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methodsherein are intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising,these and any other suitable types of memory.

What has been described above includes examples of the presentspecification. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing the present specification, but one of ordinary skill in theart may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of thepresent specification are possible. Accordingly, the presentspecification is intended to embrace all such alterations, modificationsand variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used ineither the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended tobe inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: in response to determining,by a user equipment comprising a processor, that an absorption rateassociated with the user equipment satisfies a defined conditioncorresponding to a radio frequency energy emitted by the user equipment,determining, by the user equipment, whether a data exchange between theuser equipment and a network device comprises a data gap; and inresponse to determining that the data exchange comprises the data gap,sending, by the user equipment during the data gap, power classregistration data directed to the network device, wherein the powerclass registration data comprises a request for a change of power of theuser equipment.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: inresponse to the determining that the absorption rate satisfies thedefined condition, starting, by the user equipment, a timer.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, further comprising: in response to the determiningthat the data exchange comprises the data gap, resetting, by the userequipment, the timer.
 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising: inresponse to determining that a value of the timer has expired, and inresponse to determining that the data exchange does not comprise thedata gap, sending, by the user equipment, the power class registrationdata directed to the network device.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: in response to the sending of the power class registrationdata, and in response to determining that an instruction for the changeof power has not been received, sending, by the user equipment, a powerregistration message directed to the network device for registration ofthe change of power.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: inresponse to the sending of the power registration message, initiating,by the user equipment, the change of power.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising: in response to the sending of the power classregistration data, receiving, by the user equipment, an instruction forthe change of power; and modifying, by the user equipment based on theinstruction, a power state of the user equipment.
 8. A user equipment,comprising: a processor; and a memory that stores executableinstructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitateperformance of operations, comprising: determining that an absorptionrate associated with the user equipment satisfies a defined conditionwith respect to radio frequency energy emitted by the user equipment;and in response to the determining, and in response to identifying aperiod of a gap in data being exchanged between a network device and theuser equipment, sending, during the period of the gap in data, powerclass registration data representing a change of a power classregistration of the user equipment directed to the network device. 9.The user equipment of claim 8, wherein the period of the gap in datarepresents a period of time during which the data has not been exchangedbetween the network device and the user equipment.
 10. The userequipment of claim 8, wherein the determining that the absorption ratesatisfies the defined condition comprises determining, using a proximitysensor, a proximity of the user equipment to a body of a user of theuser equipment.
 11. The user equipment of claim 10, wherein theoperations further comprise: receiving an input; and modifying asensitivity of the proximity sensor based on the input.
 12. The userequipment of claim 11, wherein the input represents an instruction todisable the proximity sensor, and wherein the modifying comprisesdisabling the proximity sensor.
 13. The user equipment of claim 8,wherein the operations further comprise: in response to the sending ofthe power class registration data, receiving an instruction for thechange of the power class registration of the user equipment; and basedon the instruction, changing a power of the user equipment.
 14. The userequipment of claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise: inresponse to the determining, starting a timer; and in response todetermining that the timer has expired, and in response to determiningthat an instruction representing the change of the power classregistration has not been received, sending a message directed to thenetwork device for registration of the change of the power classregistration.
 15. The user equipment of claim 14, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: in response to the sending of the message, changing apower consumption of the user equipment.
 16. The user equipment of claim14, wherein the operations further comprise: resetting the timer basedon the period of the gap in data.
 17. A machine-readable storage medium,comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processor ofan apparatus, facilitate performance of operations, comprising: inresponse to determining that an absorption rate associated with theapparatus satisfies a defined condition with respect to radio frequencyenergy emitted by the apparatus, identifying whether data beingexchanged between a network device and the apparatus comprises a gapduring which the data has not been exchanged between the network deviceand the apparatus; and in response to identifying that the data beingexchanged between the network device and the apparatus comprises thegap, sending power class registration data representing a change of apower class registration of the apparatus directed to the network deviceduring the gap.
 18. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 17,wherein the operations further comprise: in response to the sending ofthe power class registration data, receiving an instruction for thechange of the power class registration of the apparatus; and based onthe instruction, modifying a power state of the apparatus.
 19. Themachine-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: in response to the determining that the absorptionrate satisfies the defined condition, starting a timer.
 20. Themachine-readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: in response to determining that the timer ran out, andin response to determining that an instruction for the change of thepower class registration has not been received, sending a powerregistration message directed to the network device for registration ofa change of a power state of the apparatus.